This is a list of my top 50 songs of all time. I was originally going to make it my top 100 songs of all time, but I decided that it was hard enough already to pick 50 songs, because there are so many amazing songs from a multitude of genres. So, I just spent some time thinking and composed this list. But, like any greatest list, this list is not absolute. In fact, if you asked me next week to do it all over again you would likely see a few changes. But regardless of the validity of the list, they are all still some of my absolute favorite songs. I mean, they would have to be legendary songs to me for me to include them, so it should still accurately portray my musical tastes. Anyway, let's get started with the list. The songs are in no particular order, I don't think I could actually order them. That would be far too hard.

Ensiferum  Smoking RuinsA folk metal masterpiece if I do say so myself. It tells a great story and still gives me chills when I hear it. There's just something about blending metal, mythology, and folk music that is amazing to me.

The Beatles  YesterdayNot an incredibly complex song, but the lyrics really speak to me. I often miss how life used to be, and I think we all do. This song means so much because it makes me remember all of the great times I've had in life.

Journey  Don't Stop BelievingJourney's songwriting is hit or miss, but this song is truly legendary. It has a good message, sung through the incredible voice of Steve Perry.

Led Zeppelin  Stairway to HeavenAlmost everyone says this song is either one of the best songs or one of the most overrated songs. I think you all know where I stand. It's perfect to my ears.

The Doors  The EndIt's very hard me to explain why I love this song, but I really do. It's very spiritual and still puts me in a trance when I listen to it.

King Crimson  EpitaphKing Crimson's debut album is one of the most amazing debuts in history, in my opinion. And this song is just completely perfect. It's very powerful for some reason, but relaxing at the same time.Pagan's Mind  TakenOne of the best choruses in the history of music. And the solo is pure soul. It's very energetic and definitely metal, but it's beautiful at the same time. I love this song.Boston  Rock & Roll BandSuch a fun song, and the guitar riff is badass. I also love the story told in the lyrics. Boston is one of the best groups in terms of songwriting.

Black Sabbath  Heaven and HellThis has such a heavy riff, and contrasts between heavy, dark sections and beautiful sounding chorus sections. Picks up at the end, and just leaves you wanting more. If you don't like Black Sabbath with Dio, then you're missing out.

Megadeth  Holy Wars... The Punishment DueOne of Megadeth's masterworks. It's very memorable because of how dynamic and energetic it is.

Emperor  I Am the Black WizardsThe one of the absolute best tracks black metal has to offer. The riff is soooooo memorable, and the breakdown at the end is so beautiful. Equilibrium  Blut Im AugeOne of the best folk metal bands out there, and quite possible their greatest track. The fantastic thing about this band is how they have the brutality of death metal, the vocals of black metal, and the composition/instrumentation of folk metal. Queen  Bohemian RhapsodyThis will never fall out of my top 50 list because it is such a legendary song. It's one of the most dynamic songs ever recording, going through multiple compositional transformations. The lyrics are also fantastic, that will always help a song.

Behemoth  Hell Dwells in IceBack in Behemoth's black metal days, they released this dark ambient track on Sventevith. It's really quite something, at least to me. The chord progression is very simple but incredibly beautiful and relaxing.

Minus the Bear  Throwin' ShapesThis indie/alternative track is so good. Minus the Bear has quickly become one of my favorite alternative groups because their song structure is so unique. This song is just insanely chill.

Nightwish  The Poet And the PendulumOff of their most recent album with a new vocalist comes this fourteen minute masterpiece. It's just literally breathtaking, I can't explain it.Death  Pull the PlugBack when straight up death metal was in it's prime. This has to be my favorite track by Death, it's just so heavy...

Blind Guardian  Skalds and ShadowsOff of their most recent album comes this folk song, which has an incredibly awesome chord progression. Hansi's vocals match very well with this style of music, it's a fantastic song because it's not something you hear from Blind Guardian very often.ColdWorld  Tortured By SolitudeApparently ColdWorld doesn't have a lasting atmosphere, but it hasn't disappeared for me yet. And this was the first black metal band I got into.Children of Bodom  Kissing the ShadowsCan you say monster solo? It literally takes up about half of the song. Guitars and Keys in a q&a solo style just automatically hits you as awesome.Phoenix  Too YoungAlternative masterpiece. One of the chillest songs ever written.

Sonata Arctica  FullmoonIncredibly good, possibly the best from Sonata Arctica. Off of the legendary album Ecliptica.

Steve Vai  For the Love of GodThis is one of the songs that can almost bring you to tears it's so beautiful. Some may not like Steve Vai, but he pours his soul into every note he plays.Tyr  RagnarokDynamic folk metal masterpiece. Clean vocals, progressive-style guitar playing, it just radiates awesome.

Lynyrd Skynyrd  Simple ManI come from a middle class background, not poor but no rich. But I think I've learned in my life that this is the way to be, because money and possessions don't create happiness (for long, anyway). This song is 100% truth.

Insomnium  ResonanceMelodic death metal the majority of the time, except for this incredibly short acoustic track. I don't know what it is about this song, but I could listen to it loop all day.

Pink Floyd  TimeThe annoying bells in the beginning don't ruin this awesome song, the chorus is absolutely beautiful.Black Sabbath  Sweet LeafThe original line-up and their best track, in my opinion. This song is quite heavy, especially for the time.

Draconian  Daylight MiseryWhile we're on heavy doom, here's Draconian. This song has such a sweet bassline, it's slow and very relaxing.Windir  Journey to the EndJourney to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End,

Bruce Springsteen  My City of RuinsThis song is quite beautiful, but depressing. Regardless, it has helped me through a tough time in my life so I guess that's the main reason I love it. Blue Oyster Cult  I Love the NightThis song has also helped me through a tough time, so I'll save you the commentary.

Nightwish  The IslanderA delicious acoustic folk masterpiece. Marco has lead vocals, with Annette doing backup vocals. It's so awesome, but I'm a sucker for folk.John Lennon  ImagineGod hippies made good music.Emperor  The Loss and Curse of ReverenceAnother amazing track from Emperor. My favorite part is the singing-style synth over the chorus sections.Electric Light Orchestra  Sweet Talkin' WomanDelicious orchestral pop-rock. What more can I say? Traveling Wilburys  End of the LineAn awesome super group, composed of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne (ELO), Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. This song is just amazing, and the video is too. It was made right after Orbison died, so he isn't in the video. Instead, in his place, there is a rocking chair with a guitar in it.Vargnatt  Nur ein TraumHere's some ambient basement metal for you lol. I love this track because it's actually quite chill, there are sweet acoustic guitar riffs, as well as synthesized harp. It's very unique and quite amazing.Foo Fighters  EverlongFoo Fighters >>>>>>> Nirvana.

Johnny Cash  Hurt (NiN cover)I hate Nine Inch Nails, but this song is quite good. Cash makes this song completely his own, and he pours his soul into it.

The Doors  Not the Touch the Earth not to see the sun. Nothing left to do but run run run, let's run.

Rush  FreewillProgressive metal owes it's ass to Rush, just listen to this song. The guitar and bass riffs are completely badass.

Equilibrium  NordheimA very simple chord progression almost throughout, but a very atmospheric song. At least to me.

Creedence Clearwater Revival  Lookin' Out My Back DoorThis song is also incredibly simple, but it's such a fun song. I can never avoid singing along to this.

Steve Vai  Boston Rain MelodyVai completely captures the mood of rainfall with this track, it's so relaxed. It's almost like actually listening to a rainstorm. Throw in his signature style and soul inspired playing, and you have a legendary track.The Eagles  In the CityIt was in The Warriors. The Warriors is a badass movie.

Wintersun  Winter MadnessDeath, Black, Folk, and Power Metal all mixed into one. This has a beast of a solo as well.

Eluveitie  Inis MonaI cannot get this song out of my head. Whenever I listen to it, it just stays there. There's a hook every other note, I swear...

Crystalic  Severe PunishmentThese guys aren't too popular, but I have no clue why. There's awesome prog elements, the fretless bass sounds amazing, and it has that awesome melo death vibe.Suidakra  The Ember Deid (Part II)Epic. That's about all I can say. It's a pure folk song, and it's just composed so masterfully.

Well, that's my list. I hope you guys enjoyed the short commentary. Also, I hope a few of you have listened to the playlist I set up. I'd love to hear which tracks you guys liked the most.

Crystalic - Severe PunishmentI remember hearing a song by Crystalic somewhere and it was really good. I actually listened to it like 10 times or something. I don't remember. They just make very melodic and excellent music. So my reaction to this song...I like it but I'm not sure I caught what made it top 50. The chorus is very good but nothing to make it stand out above all the other tracks out there.Maybe it's just me but I love this song by Crystalic...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htSO9FdVufQIf it was me I would have done a Cynic song (and if I'm doing my own top 50 expect a Cynic song...of course).

Eluveitie  Inis MonaI don't know why but I can't get into this band too much. I like Equilibrium and Ensiferum better. This song is pretty cool but just not catching my interest.

Wintersun  Winter MadnessNot my favorite Wintersun song but just about all of them are great, and this one is no different. And yeah the solo does really make this song shine. Somehow it just fits the atmosphere so well and is at the same time so enjoyable in and of itself.

The Eagles  In the CityI have a feeling I'd need some kind of relationship with this song to appreciate it. Need to get away from the damn city.

Sorry it's been a while...but there are 5 comments. I'll try to do more later. Cool list Axe. I'm actually thinking I might do one too some time. Actually I just started and it's going to be like on the absurd end of enthusiasm. I can just tell. Oh my God it's going to be a long post full of caps locks, cursing, religious experiences, seizures, violent outbursts and convulsions, general chaos. Well I won't describe it here.

I recognize a lot of the songs in your list and I see a lot that I really like.

i think i can do 50 once i finish the library challenge. im slowly rating the really good songs as i go. my one problem would be picking like only one song from an album, cuse i fall in love with albums....the songs are part of the album

any hints?oh, on The Chosen Pessimist - In Flamesso i have a ways to go...

_________________

Dark94Flame wrote:

Blink 182?Byd, this is how it starts, you know. One day it's "I like Blink 182", the next it's "I think I like men".

Master Cthulhu wrote:

Where Bathory was an iron broadsword, this band is a big plastic one with "viking!" written on it in sparkly purple magic marker.

sarainadream wrote:

No fucking worries I guess you cunts, just wanted to bloody well plant the careful seed in your maggot infested brains.

Crystalic - Severe PunishmentI remember hearing a song by Crystalic somewhere and it was really good. I actually listened to it like 10 times or something. I don't remember. They just make very melodic and excellent music. So my reaction to this song...I like it but I'm not sure I caught what made it top 50. The chorus is very good but nothing to make it stand out above all the other tracks out there.Maybe it's just me but I love this song by Crystalic...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htSO9FdVufQIf it was me I would have done a Cynic song (and if I'm doing my own top 50 expect a Cynic song...of course).

Eluveitie  Inis MonaI don't know why but I can't get into this band too much. I like Equilibrium and Ensiferum better. This song is pretty cool but just not catching my interest.

Wintersun  Winter MadnessNot my favorite Wintersun song but just about all of them are great, and this one is no different. And yeah the solo does really make this song shine. Somehow it just fits the atmosphere so well and is at the same time so enjoyable in and of itself.

The Eagles  In the CityI have a feeling I'd need some kind of relationship with this song to appreciate it. Need to get away from the damn city.

Sorry it's been a while...but there are 5 comments. I'll try to do more later. Cool list Axe. I'm actually thinking I might do one too some time. Actually I just started and it's going to be like on the absurd end of enthusiasm. I can just tell. Oh my God it's going to be a long post full of caps locks, cursing, religious experiences, seizures, violent outbursts and convulsions, general chaos. Well I won't describe it here.

I recognize a lot of the songs in your list and I see a lot that I really like.

thanks for listening and commenting, I look forward to your next comments. As for the Crystalic song, Faith Redefined was the other song by them that I was debating between. They are both excellent, and I'm positive that if it had been a different day I might have made a different decision

"Windir  Journey to the EndJourney to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End,"

"Windir  Journey to the EndJourney to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End, Journey to the End,"